According provided by MS Helios-77M-4 1,8 / 50 lens (with the VOMZ logo) many thanks to the reader of Radozhiva - Vladimir Pivovarov.
MS HELIOS-77M-4 1,8 / 50
MC HELIOS-77M-4 1,8 / 50 is a rather rare and good high-aperture fix, at one time it was used as a standard lens for some Zenit film cameras. Now MC Helios-77M-4 1,8 / 50 is sometimes found on photo flea markets and can serve as a good manual fifty-kopeck piece (lens with 50 mm focal length) for modern digital cameras.
MS Helios-77M-4 1,8 / 50 is well assembled. The focus ring has no rubberized inserts, rotates approximately 200 degrees. Manual focus is not a big deal. During focusing, the front retractable body does not rotate. Focusing occurs by moving the entire lens block.
Of the shortcomings, I want to highlight the non-blackened aperture blades, which can reduce the contrast, as well as the fact that there are only 6 aperture blades. On closed diaphragms, 'nuts' are easily obtained in the out-of-focus area. MC Helios-77M-4 1,8 / 50 is equipped with a standard blinking diaphragm, which works in automatic mode on most cameras with a M42x1 / 45,5 mounting thread.
Main technical characteristics of MS GELIOS-77M-4 1,8 / 50
| The name of the instance from the review (as it is written on the lens itself) | MS HELIOS-77M-4 1,8 / 50 M52x0,75 91060951 with the VOMZ logo |
| Basic properties |
|
| Front Filter Diameter | 52 mm |
| Focal length | 50 mm (according to some sources - 52 mm), EGF for cameras with an APS-C type sensor is approximately 75mm |
| Zoom ratio | 1 x |
| Designed by | for film cameras with a frame size of 36 mm X 24 mm |
| Number of aperture blades | 6 rounded petals. Petals form a hexagon of approximately the correct shape. At an intermediate value between F / 1.8 and F / 2.8, the petals form a hexagon with small notches. Petals are dull metal, not blackened. |
| Tags | focusing distance only in meters. The depth of field scale for the values of F / 4, 8, 11, 16. The scale with the aperture values for F / 1.8, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16. The ring has one intermediate fixed value between the specified pairs of numbers (between F / 11 and F / 16 there is no intermediate value). |
| Diaphragm | From F / 1.8 to F / 16.0, it is regulated by the aperture ring, there is no diaphragm operation method switch on the lens. |
| MDF (minimum focusing distance) | 0.45 m, maximum magnification ratio is 1: 6.3 (approximately) |
| The weight | 250 g (approximately) |
| Optical design | 6 elements in 4 groups |
| Lens hood | screwed into the front filter, marking of the original hood not found. |
| Manufacturer country | USSR, made at the Vologda Optical and Mechanical Plant. |
| Period | For several years, around 1990, the exact period of production is unknown. |
How to use with modern cameras?
Lenses with mounting thread M42 (M42 X 1 / 45.5), such as the lens from this review, are very easy to use on almost any modern digital camera (both SLR and mirrorless), for this it is enough to choose the right adapter (adapter). You do not need to carry out any additional steps to modify the lens.
The cheapest adapters can be found at Aliexpress.com... There are adapters (adapters) with a chip that provide more convenience during shooting, usually chips are used to confirm focus and / or metering exposure, and form the correct EXIF. The chip does not affect the image quality in any way.
For some SLR cameras (for example, with the Nikon F-mount), you need to use adapters with a corrective lens, which allows you to focus correctly at all focusing distances. For any mirrorless cameras, such a lens is not needed, and the adapter is a simple decorated hollow metal tube with an appropriate mount.
For SLR cameras
- Canon: For cameras Canon EOS with bayonet mount EF / EF-S need an M42-Canon EOS adapter, such an adapter with a chip can be found herewithout chip here.
- NIKON: For cameras Nikon DX / FXas well as for cameras Fujifilm и Kodak with a Nikon F mount, you need an M42-Nikon F adapter, you can buy such an adapter without a lens and a chip here, with a lens without a chip herewith chip without lens here, with lens and chip here. Why a lens? Why chip?
- PENTAX: For Pentax cameras with K mount, you need an M42-Pentax K adapter, you can buy such an adapter here.
- SONY/MINOLTA: For cameras with a Sony / Minolta A mount, you need the M42-Sony A adapter, you can find such an adapter without a chip at this linkwith a chip at this link.
- OLYMPUS/PANASONIC/LEICA: For cameras with a 4/3 bayonet mount (not to be confused with Micro 4/3!) You need an M42-4 / 3 adapter, you can buy such an adapter here.
For mirrorless cameras
- SONY: For cameras with 'E'/'FE' mount series SonyNEX и Sony Alpha you need an adapter M42-Sony E (aka M42-Sony Nex), you can find it at this link. An autofocus adapter is also available for these cameras. Techart PRO Leica M - Sony E Autofocus Adapterwhich can be found at this link.
- OLYMPUS / PANASONIC / KODAK / XIAOMI: For cameras with a bayonet mount Micro 4/3 (Micro 4:3) you need an adapter M42-Micro 4/3, you can find it at this link.
- CANON M: For cameras with Canon EF-M mount need adapter M42-Canon M, it can be found at this link.
- CANON R and RF-S: For cameras with Canon RF mount need adapter M42-Canon R, it can be found at this link.
- Nikon 1: For cameras Nikon 1 Series need adapter M42-Nikon 1, you can find it at this link.
- Nikon Z: For cameras Nikon Z series (FX/DX) need an adapter M42-Nikon Z, it can be found at this link.
- FUJIFILM X: For cameras with mount X need an M42-Fuji X adapter, you can find it at this link.
- FUJIFILM GFX: For medium format cameras G-mount need M42-Fuji GFX adapter, you can find it at this link.
- SAMSUNG: For cameras with NX mount, you need an M42-Samsung NX adapter, you can find it at this link. There are no adapters for the NX mini camera yet.
- PENTAX: For Q-mount cameras, you need an M42-Pentax Q adapter, you can find it at this link.
- SIGMA / PANASONIC / LEICA: For cameras with L mount you need an M42-Leica L adapter, you can find it at this link.
- LEICA: For cameras with a bayonet mount Leica M need adapter M42-L / M, you can find it at this link.
If you have any questions on compatibility and adapters - ask in the comments (comments do not require any registration at all).
Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress.
Image quality
On a full-length mirrorless camera Sony a7 I used a lens with an adapter without any problems M42-Sony NEX. MC HELIOS-77M-4 1,8 / 50 is quite sharp in the center of the frame even at F / 1.8, slightly worse at the edges. On covered apertures, the lens shows very high sharpness. On F / 1.8, vignetting is noticeable.
When used without backlight, the lens shows good contrast. Unfortunately, despite the optics with 'MC', the lens weak in backlight, giving a large number of flares, glare and 'rainbows' (these artifacts are in the photos in the gallery below). Version MC HELIOS-77M-4 50mm 1: 1,8 backlit works much better. The highlight of MS HELIOS-77M-4 1,8 / 50 is unusual twisting the background in the blur zoneso that the lens has an interesting bokeh.
Ultimately MC HELIOS-77M-4 1,8 / 50 is an interesting lens that can be a good creative tool for photo enthusiasts. Poor backlit work makes it worse MS Helios-81H 2/50.
You can download RAW source files by this link (20 files in the '.ARW' format, 400 MB). All photos in the gallery above are on-camera JPEG from the camera Sony a7.
UPDATE 1 (added gallery of examples)
More examples of photos on the MC HELIOS-77M-4 1,8 / 50 and Canon EOS 750D from Svetlana Stasyakova:
UPDATE 2 (added gallery of examples)
Examples of photographs on MS HELIOS-77M-4 1,8 / 50 and Canon EOS 60D photographer also shared Ulyana Bukanova (Mizinova).
Several examples on MS HELIOS-77M-4 1,8 / 50 and a full frame in the face Canon EOS 6D You can find here.
MS HELIOS-77M-4 1,8 / 50 and MC HELIOS-77M-4 50mm 1: 1,8
Note: the HELIOS-77M-4 lens was also produced at the Jupiter Optical and Mechanical Plant under the name MC HELIOS-77M-4 50mm 1: 1,8. And there is also a very similar Soviet lens MS Helios-77M 1,8 / 50.
Results
MS HELIOS-77M-4 1,8 / 50 is a pleasant Soviet fifty dollars. Even in spite of the poor performance in the back and side light, this lens can be attributed to the list of the best Soviet fifty dollars.
Familiarity with the Soviet Helios brand lenses I recommend starting with an inexpensive and common lens Helios-44-2 2/58 (aka HELIOS-44-2 2/58). The following links can look at modern lenses Zenitar и HELIOS.
Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram
Which camera is better than Canon Eos 1000D or Nikon D80?
Nikon D80
but much and with what?
Firstly, these are cameras of different levels, and D80 is higher.
Arkady, which cover fits it (on the front lens) - 52 mm?
Yes, under 52mm, which is indicated in the TTX of the lens in my review.
What filters can I buy on the 77M-4?
Any that you need, just consider the diameter.
and diameter is 52 mm?
Yes, it is written in the review in the TTX.
I have such a lens! I bought an M24 adapter for the Nikon D3000 camera, but the rear lens in the lens rests on this adapter. Thus, focusing stops at 5 meters. Help me figure it out, please - is this a common thing for Helios 77m-4 or is there something wrong with me? And what to do? An adapter without a lens was also a measure for this lens and this camera, but there was no focus at all at any distance, everything was blurry. Thanks.
That is, the M42 adapter, of course.
In this review, I have photos with an adapter without a lens, focusing is available. Because maybe something with your copy.
Thank you Arkady! And why does the lens in the lens abut against the adapter with the lens? Also something with an instance?
This is a common problem. The lens was not designed to be used with such an adapter.
Hello. I have a d3100, the new Zenit with Helios-77m-4 is at home. I realized that I need an adapter KP-42 with a lens, but some are cheap factory ones and others are more expensive by an order of magnitude and the adapter shows contacts. What’s the difference, and if possible, the process of installing the aperture and how to shoot them? Thanks.
Those with contacts equipped with Lushnikov’s dandelion will measure exposure there. How to work with this lens on the D3100 is written in the Soviet lenses section.
Helious 44 58mm VS Helious 77m-4 50mm? What porekomenduete kak pervi sssrovski objektiv?
44mm
Arkady, hello, the D3100 camera (my first DSLR), the whale is not interesting to me, manual optics “excites”, I bought a Yu-37a, I like it, D-light is off, and the color SATURATED, after that I like it even more. I decided that the next one needed fifty dollars, but at the same time I really want a macro. If I take the G-77m-4, it will cope with two tasks (through the macro rings), or for a macro buy an inexpensive manual zoom with a macro ??????? for example Vivitar 70-210mm macro.
ps bought macro rings, but Yu-37a is helpless with them.
Fifty with macro rings will be just right.
Thank you!
It needs two sets of rings.
for canon 1100d fit?
Suitable with an adapter, in more detail in the old lens section on Canon.
Excuse me, what is his thread?
M42, this is indicated in the review. I strongly recommend that you read the review before asking questions.
give a link where it says what is dandelion
Here are some old Canon lenses.
Now I am faced with the choice of portraiture.
Helios 77m-4, MC HELIOS 44M-6, MC HELIOS 44M-7 and Zenitar M 1,7 / 50mm. There is also the Super Takumar Asahi Pentax 50mm f1.4, but I don't know anything about it. Although the aperture ratio is very attractive, because I often rent it indoors, it costs 1,5 times more than the others.
Of the Soviet, I use Jupiter-37a and Industar-61 l / s.
If you do not take into account the price, and let the condition of the lenses be the same for everyone, then which is still preferable? Yes, I would also like to use it for landscapes.
Hiring a Pentax K10d + PENTAX-DA 40 mm F2.8 Limited
Thank you in advance for your reply.
Now I read your review about the SMC Takumar 55 mm f 2.0.
I really liked the lens, judging by the description. And the pictures are very good. The color rendering is wonderful. I’ll look for more sample images with him on the Internet. It seems to me that he will be more interesting than Helios.
Takumar is pretty good. I personally don’t like the landscape on Helios, Zenitar-M 50 1.7 copes with landscapes well.
Thanks for the reply.
I’ll probably make my own landscape.
So I looked at Helios-44 (white, though I don’t know how many petals -13 or 7) and Takumar 55 mm f 2.0. Now I'm waiting for answers from sellers. Yes, and ordered the adapter M39-M42.
Dear Arkady, I read on one of the forums that some lenses on the Kenon FF cameras cling to the mirror. Do you know anything about such a problem? In particular, I am interested in Helios-77m-4, since I found it in my grandfather's bins and would like to try it on 5D, but I'm afraid ...
By the way, this lens is not the same as shown in the article: the inscription HELIOS in Latin letters.
http://images02.olx.ru/ui/18/03/13/1326307792_298940013_3–77-4-5018–.jpg
Export options were marked with Latin letters. There is a problem with some lenses. It is for this that I can’t say anything.
Good day to you. Tell me, I have a Canon 30D I want to buy a lens-Helios 81N- with an adapter for Canon and a chip, it will fit my f / apparatus ??? or stop at Helios 77m-4 ??? Thank you very much. Good luck.
Yes, it does.
Good day to you. I would like to clarify which one is better than Helios 77m-4 or Helios 81n ??? Thanks. Good luck.
Better in what? These are slightly different lenses)
I wish you good health. From the focal point, I understand and the aperture also have a difference. In terms of image quality, the first thing is, as for me, sharpness, the quality of drawing small details can be more accurately resolved in such terms. And that would have less soap on an open hole. Thanks Good luck.
But are there any differences between Helios-77m-4 and Pentacon MC 1.8 / 50?
everything, already read the Pentacon MC 1.8 / 50 description :)
Just different lenses.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR SITE, VERY MUCH INTERESTING, THANKS IF you could write so that you would see gratitude right on the main page of your site. GOOD LUCK. SUCCESSES.
Not at all :) Good luck to you too!
As a small addition to the review, based on my own experience, I can add that Helios 77m-4 in comparison with:
1. Helios 44m-7 (as with the best in the Helios 44 line) - has a much smaller drop in sharpness (and not only!) To the edges of the frame (which is especially important when shooting landscapes). The center of the frame is sharper at the G44m-7, and at the edges already at the G-77m-4. The difference in aperture and focal, though a little bit, is noticeable.
2. Zenitar M 1.7 - loses in sharpness and color accuracy throughout the frame, “washes” the background a little worse, but much better in backlight and side light (different enlightenment). The difference in aperture ratio in practice is more noticeable (although in digital values and less) than between the G-44 and G-77.
As you can see, all glasses have their pros / cons, and the choice lies in the scope of the task and shooting conditions ...
Thanks for the good, practical advice.
Many THANKS for a very detailed info. Helios lenses. Good luck.
This info. from the text above.
1. Aperture. This is a really fast lens with a maximum aperture of F1.8. For example, on a sunny day at ISO 100 you will have to set the shutter speed up to 1/4000 in order to make the correct exposure. And this is outside the range of a number of old cameras, and the limit for a number of modern cameras. More details in the section Excerpt.
My thoughts. And if you use a neutral filter!?!?!? In the days of the USSR, they were even I used them. I think the effect will be positive.
Yes, the filter will help.
Arkady, thanks for the review. I came across him when I was looking for information about his glass.
I shot myself in the film era on Zenit-19 with 77M. Exactly the same as in your first photo (Cyrillic + “hexagonal” emblem). For some reason I didn’t pay attention to the torsion of the boke; it would be necessary to revise the old photos.
I recently bought a pentax. I took them test shots - I just fell in love with twisted boke. One drawback is terribly soapy. Perhaps because of the "looseness" of the lens itself - backlash of the lens unit and focusing ring. I bought another one inexpensively - much better. And recently I found a rare MC Helios-77K-4 with a K mount (for pentax). IMHO paid a lot (for the same price it was possible to take a native manual SMC Pentax-A 50 1.7, the aperture of which is controlled from the carcass, all modes are available (Av / Tv / P / auto) and matrix exposure metering), but the convenience of the native mount, “ the “aperture jumpers” (focusing on open, when shooting is covered to the set value) are worth it.
By the way, I noticed some differences.
MC Helios-77M-4 with a “hexagon” (Vologda) - the glare of enlightenment is the same as yours, purple + turquoise (blue-green). The same glare in the native whale.
MC Helios-77M-4 with a flat-concave lens and a circle mounted on the beam (Valdai Jupiter) - violet + amber reflections.
MC Helios-77K-4 with K bayonet, the same Valdai plant - violet + amber highlights.
PS: pentax is very convenient for working with old optics. The entire fleet of K-mount optics is available (which has not changed since the development in a thousand-hundred-shaggy year, like Nikon's F - only two of them survived the introduction of the auto-focus), the threaded M42 becomes with a cheap adapter (infinity remains), no dandelion chips are needed , focus confirmation works in the video finder, when you press a certain button, the shutter speed is set for corrective exposure.
Thanks for the information. For Pentax we know.
Hello, I have a Helios 77m-4, the problem was that the focus ring didn’t spin very easily and did not focus. no idea what to do.
Take to repair.
Hello! I want to buy Helios 77m-4. I found an ad, but they write: "there is a small point of enlightenment on the rear lens (it happens on Soviet optics, not a marriage)." Tell me if this marriage will worsen the quality of the photo? Or give up this purchase and look for a better copy?
yes, it will worsen, the level of intensity of deterioration needs to be looked directly at test pictures, usually deterioration is insignificant.